I wanted to share a little about the experience I’ve had with the Insanity Workout. I’m about to wrap the 60 day program. Like Shaun T says in the video, the Insanity Workout is not for everyone. I can say with absolute certainty, it’s the hardest workout I’ve ever done. Insanity focuses more on cardio and endurance training. There is some resistance training using your own body weight but not much at all.

I think P90X is a better and more well-rounded workout. I actually saw better results with P90X because of all the weight training.

Insanity is harder mentally and physically. As Shaun T says repeatedly in the workouts, “Dig deeper!” You truly have to find that place where you can play through the pain. You have to turn off the pain in your mind and keep going. That is where you get the results.

As far as trainers go, I think Tony Horton from P90X is a better motivator. Shaun T is great but Horton has a way of helping me get that last impossible rep.

I have 3 more workouts to go and then I’m done with Insanity. Now after 5 months off from the gym, I’m going back. I’m looking forward to getting back with a new intensity. I’m going to incorporate bits from both P90X and Insanity into a new “JamSmooth” routine. Then I think I’m going to see some seriously great results. I’ll keep you posted.

Nope not until Cambodia. 2 more workouts until I’m done with P90X. What a ride. I’ve gotten more comments on my physique than ever before. Honestly I still can’t see it. And no I don’t spend hours in front of the mirror!

Tony Horton and his pals are always there for you, Pam the Blam, Drea and of course the man, Adam. P90X is not for the faint of heart. It’s not for those who lack discipline. If you want the results you’ve got to follow the program, not miss too many days, eat right and of course, bring it.

For me it’s legs and back then Kenpo X and I’m done. I’ll be heading to Cambodia so I’m skipping the 13th week. When I get back I’m going to start the Insanity Workout. Yep I’m insane!

I owe you an apology. I truly wanted to write you every day. I did. I’m back and this time I won’t neglect you.

This Thursday, April 29th I leave for my second trip to Cambodia. My anticipation is at nuclear levels. Getting away from American society and Atlanta will be a welcome and much needed reprieve. Rest assured I will be updating you from Phnom Penh. This year our team will be constructing a classroom at the orphanage there.

Our team blog is at www.phnompenhin2010.com. Please bookmark it or put it in your RSS feedreader. I will tweet quite a bit and take lots of photos and video. This year I will edit together a video in Final Cut that I will share with you all.

In other news I’m about to complete the P90X program. I’m halfway through the 12th week. The results speak for themselves. Honestly I’m getting comments from co-workers and friends on the changes. My energy level is always high. The workouts have yet to become boring. They are very challenging. I encourage you to get the DVDs and do it.

That’s all for now. I’ll be posting with more frequency.

This Tuesday I wrap up week 8 of P90X. Week 8 is a recovery week so you don’t lift or do plyometrics. I took an extra day off but I’ve been disciplined overall so I feel fine about that.

A co-worker and I started P90X back in February. Now there are at least 5 other people at work starting the program. We make jokes about Tony Horton. The workouts are no joke. They are challenging. I have yet to get bored with them. There are so many varying levels of intensity that you can’t get bored. It’s fascinating to see the enthusiasm of P90X spread around work. I told a co-worker, “It gets easier to follow but the workouts never get easier.”

I will take my 60 day photos this week and we shall see the results. 2/3 of the way done!

Of all the exercises I’ve done running is by far the one I hate the most. I don’t know why I’ve suffered through so many miles of running. From the first step I take all I can think about is the end.

A few years ago I went to a chiropractor who told me that my body is not built for running. He said certain people can run and be ok but not me. Over time, he said, that my knees and back would develop issues. So why did I run all those years? The challenge? Honestly I was too lazy to find something I enjoyed doing so I just ran.

One of my best friends is so passionate about running. He runs a few marathons a year. In 2007 I ran the inaugural ING half marathon. I trained for 3 months, got up before sunrise and ran in sub-freezing temperatures. I finished in under 2 hours. It was an extraordinary experience and I’m glad I did it, but I won’t be doing it again. Running works for him.

I will add that the times I ran with said friend were great moments of fellowship and I enjoyed that part immensely. However the running part of the deal was hard. Would I run with him again? Yes, but only to spend time with him, not because I enjoy running.

You must find something you enjoy for exercise or else you won’t do it. There are so many different activities you can do: yoga, plyometrics, weight training, boot camp, jump rope, biking, hiking, tennis, soccer, rugby, martial arts and the list goes on and on.

Finding activities you enjoy is your responsibility. Find it, do it. You’ll get better over time. I’ve found a lot of enjoyment in plyometrics and biking. That’s how I’ll get my cardio. I will always lift weights, I love doing that! Nothing beats the pump! I encourage you to get into the best shape of your life. Just do something!

Today wraps the 2nd week of P90X. I noticed a slight improvement in the execution the second time around. I also notice a huge increase in my energy level. My low energy level was the biggest wake up call that I needed to get back to exercise.

Tony Horton and the gang are like your buddies at the gym. They are there to help you and push you. Some folks say Tony is annoying. As a former trainer I say he is outstanding. Tony is all about good form and not injuring yourself. He’s corny at times but the bottom line is Tony motivates you to keep going.

Tomorrow starts week 3. Here’s to looking good and feeling good.

This morning I finished the first week of P90X with X Stretch, a whole hour of stretching. Stretching lingered as a weak point for me over the years. I didn’t enjoy it. However I knew I was short-changing myself and more importantly, risking injury.

Back in 2002 while doing incline bench press I strained for an extra rep. I got off balance and dislocated a vertebrae only by a few millimeters. In a few days turning my head even slightly produced severe pain. That was my first trip to chiropractor. It took a few weeks to get everything lined up again. My chiropractor explained that the injury resulted from lack of stretching. From then on I made a point to stretch.

Fast forward a few years and I’m not stretching again. I’m so happy that stretching is a big part of P90X. I can already feel the difference. I am learning new stretches and feeling the benefits.

Yoga X is my first experience with Yoga and I love it. I love the challenge. It’s not easy but nothing on P90X is easy.

Week 1 is done. 11 more weeks to go. Looking forward to taking those after photos and seeing some changes.

Just finished day 2 of P90X. Today was plyometrics and it was a beast. I mean this when I say I don’t think I’ve ever done a more challenging cardio workout. Ever. It keeps going and going. There are water breaks here and there but it’s over quick and you’re back to jumping. I admit, I hit the pause button a few times.

The folks on this video are in outstanding shape. They even have a guy with 1 leg just to give you no excuses. He’s hopping and jumping like a normal guy.

So far so good. Tomorrow is shoulders and arms.

Today I started a 90 day journey called P90X. I remember hearing the guys in my last small group talk about it, how it was tough and challenging. I got a copy of the program this week and completed day 1 which was chest and back plus the ab ribber.

The workout is lots of push ups and pull ups. I was able to hang with the pros for most of the workout. I don’t have a proper pull up bar right now so I used the used the back of the stairs in my basement. P90X is like having a personal trainer working out with you. This guy is good. The energy is up and he definitely pushes you.

The ab ripper slayed me. I couldn’t keep up with them at all. That’s good. I have a lot of progress to make. I also liked that he didn’t press you if you couldn’t keep up with them. The folks in the video are completely ripped. I don’t feel disappointed at all.

I took my before photos yesterday and was disappointed in myself. I’m not happy with the current state of affairs. The photos do not lie. In 2008 I was fit. Over the last 2 years my workouts have waned and the diet has slipped as well, allowing too much ice cream and Fox Bros. BBQ.

My energy level has decreased too and that’s not good. I need lots of energy to complete all the projects I have. I encourage you to join me. Why are you putting it off? Who’s with me? I’ve put this out to the whole world now so I’m accountable.

Taking a rest from the dating series today. It is Sunday.

I complain about cold weather incessantly. I hate it. Loathe it. Detest it. It is punishment to me. It is the most uncomfortable feeling. No matter how many layers I have on, I am still cold. My hands and feet become ice blocks.

Drinking lots of hot tea is one solution and space heaters help. The best solution for me is exercise. Getting to the gym, lifting weights and doing cardio raises my body temperature and keeps me warm for hours.

What about you? What do you do to stay warm? How do you combat this wretched cold?